Convertible safety razor



- y 23, 1933- T. D. WALKER ET AL 1,910,310

CONVERTIBLE SAFETY RAZOR Filed March 5, 1952 Fig].

l/ I I H I l l I 1 h} INVENTORS M Mal/6. %M 266% enema May 2 ,1933

UNITED STATES.

THEODORE D. WALKER, OF GREAT NECK, AND CHARLES L. mom, OF

NEW YORK PATENT oFi-lcs union,

Application fled Karah '5,

This invention relates to safety razors and particularly to a construction thereof which permits of the readyconversion of the safet razor into a stropping-devicc whenever d esired. With a razor constructed inaccordance with the present invention, the replaceable blades thereof may be sharpened as soon as there is an indication of their losin any of their original sharpness, and the life of the blades may accordingly be greatly lengthened and the keeness 0 their cuttin edges can be constantly maintained in a highly satisfactory state.

It is a purpose to form the convertible razor of a comparatively few simple parts that are free from' operating mechanismthat is likely to get out of order, which parts remain in rigid correlation when in use either as a razor or stropper. The arts are, however, susceptible to a fine a justment when combined as a razor whereby the blade and its guard are relative settable to regulate the finess of the shaving quality of the razor in accordance with the desire of its u e z r Due to thesubstantial symmetry of the parts and the reasonable restriction of their size, the convertible razor is convenient to use as such or as a stropper, and maybe conveniently contained in a compact case or container. v

Other features not already specifically mentioned but a peering hereinafter. are, of course, to be erstood to form part of the present invention.

In the drawing,

Fi I is a perspective .view of the 'ton sori device assembled as a safety razor,

Fi 2 is another perspective view, showing e safety razor converted into a stropfor-improved illustration;

.fTisfin enlarged sectional view taken 1882. Serial H0. 598,863. I p on the line 55 of Fig. 2, showing the parts assembled either as part of a razor, or as a stropping device; and

'Fig. 6 is an exploded view, showing the razor-forming parts in separated vertical alignment, a portion only of the handle beingshown.

eferring to the drawing, 1 indicates the curved cheek plate that is applied to the users cheek in shaving. The, cheek plate is provided with a recess or cavity 2 in its normally inner side, which recess is of somewhat less length and width than the extreme longitudinal and transverse dimensions of the cheek plate 1. When the tonsorial device is assembled as a razor it includes a female clamping plate 3 which has a main body portion hav a convex side that is inset in the recess 0 the cheek plate '1. 'lthe main body portion 01f the clamping plate 3, exclusive 0 its opposite end rtlons, has a length and width sub'stantifify co extensive with the similar dimensions of the rea cess 2. In the side of the'clamping' plate 8 that is opposite to its side that lies against the cheek. plate 1 is a rectangular recess 4 adapted to receive a rectangular tongue 5 of a male clamping plate 6. The tongue 5 is 'approximatelyof the same length and width as the recess 4 in the clampin plate 3, and the two clamping lates 3 an 6 are, desired, of the same 0 h and width.

A razor blade 7, w 'ch ma be and flexible, is interposed between e two clamping plates 3 and 6, and is providedwith a lontudinally extending slot 8 conforming to t e tongue 5 of the clamping plate 6 to permit the blade 7 to he slipped onto' this tongue to'closel surround the same, whereb the blade is efinitely ositionedm lace.

he main body portion of the male amping plate 6 has s intermediate convex portions 60 and 66 that taken together-fit nto and conform to]; rectangular recess 9 theadjace'nt concave side of a gfiardlO opposite edges of which ard are provid with. short prongs or tubes with therebetween. 4

Beyond the intermediate convex rtions 6a and 6b of the clampingfplate 6, 7 e oppo of the guard member 10. Sim1larl somewhat less radii than the intermediate 00 ance hole in the 66 razorb 10 and through 1 and 6 with the blade 7 and the gu appropriately clamped together. The tonsorial device is then usable as a safety razor,

and the blade 7 is subject to regulation with convex portion of clamping plate 3. The end portions 30 and 3d are conformed to the curvature of the opposite end rtions of the normal inner side of the chee plate 1. By yirtue of this arrangement, the external ends of the cheek plate 1, clamping plates 3 and 6, the guard 10 and the razor blade 7 are maintained flush with one another.

. Extending through centrally located holes in the clamping plates 3 is a bushing 11 that is provided with an annular head or flange 12 that lies against a flat surface of .the clamping plate 6 between the spaced intermediate convex portions 6a and 66 thereof. The op osite end of the bushing 11 is threaded an screwed into the threaded central hole in the clamping plate 3, thereb securely clamping the clamping lates 3 an 6 and the blade 7 interposed erebetween tightly together. The annular head or flange 12 of the ushing 11 is provided with means such as spaced'lugs or ribs 13, by means 0 which the bushing 11 may be screwed into vor out of the clamping plate 3, according to whether a blade 7 is to be clamped in place or to be removed for replacement.

.5. handle 14 is provided with a screw threaded end 15 of reduced diameter, which passes through a central hole in the guard the bushing 11 .to be screwed into a three ed central hole in the cheek plate 1. A shoulder 16 existin between the main body ortion of the han e 14 and its reduced end 15 bears against a boss on the external central portion of the guard 10, so

that, when the handle 14 is adjustingly turned, the cheek plate 1, clamping lages 3 1 are respect to its guard 19 and the cheek plate 1 by a limited turning of the handle 14 to determine the closeness of the shave in accordance with the desire of the user.

After a certain amount of use of the razor, it will be perceived that its blade is not as sharp as it originally was. 'Thereupon, the user may unscrew the handle 14 from the cheel: plate 1 and withdraw its reduced end 15 through the bushing 11 and the clearguard 10. The cheek plate 1 and the guard 10 are thenremoved and set conveniently aside. The remaining nested clamping plates 3 and 6 still firmly held together by the bushing 11, with the ade 7 gripped and positioned therefits about the between the stro is predetermine y established, as indicated between, constitute a blade stropping device that is complete and read for use, except for a handle. The ban e 14 is then attached to this stroppin device assembly by screwing its reduced t readed end 15 into a threaded hole 17 in a lug 18 that is integral with the end portion 60 of the clamping plate 6 on the side of the latter that lies next to the blade 7. The inner side of the lug 18 is outside of an indented end 19 of the razorblade 7, spaced extensions 20 of which embrace parallel sides of the lug 18. This lug projects so that it bears against the curved inner end of the cheek plate 1 to which it is conformed. The end 30 of the clamping plate 3 is cut out at 21,

whereby it actauires spaced prongs 22 and ilg 18. The prongs 22 are also curved to fit the cheek plate 1. A complete stroppin device provided with a removable han e is thus formed, with the razor blade 7 firmly clamped between and reinforced by the clamping plates 3 and 6. The user then reversely draws the razor blade 7 across a strop to sharpen its edges, and at appropriate times turns the stropping device in his hand through a one-half revolution, while the blade is not applied to the stro so that both sides of each edge of the dou le-edged razor blade 7 are properly stropped. If' desired, an enveloping guard may he slipped over one of the cutting edges of the razor to house it while the other cutting edge is bein% stro ped, and then be transferred to the rst s arpened edge. The major convex surfaces of the clamping lates 3 and 6 have such curvature that w en either convex surface and the edge of the razor blade simultaneously contact with the stro an angular relation an the razor blade edge by the line H of Fig. 5, whereby the edge of the blade is sharpened at a proper angle. When the user has sharpened the edges of the razor blade to the desired degree of keenness, the parts are reassembled to again form the safety razor, which is once more in condition for hly satisfactory service.

While a referre form of the convertible tonsorial evice has been illustrated and described, it may artake of other forms, and chan es may be made in its details, without eparting from the spirit of the invention as defined by and within the scope of the appended claims. r

We claim:

1. A safet razor comprising a cheek plate and a guar member provided with opposing recesses, co-acting blade-holding members combined as a removable unit and being retained between said cheek plate and guard member and entering the recesses thereof, a razor blade interposed between and ositioned by said holding members, and a andle screwed into said cheek plate and bearing a ainst said guard member adjustably clamp lng said plate, members and blade in mutual correlation. 2. A safety razor comprising a cheek plate and a guar member provided with opposing recesses, blade-clamping members retained between and entering the recesses of said cheek plate and guard member, said clamping members fittin one into the other, a razor blade interposed between said clamping members and positioned thereby, and a handle screwed into said cheek plate and bearing on said guard member adjustably clamping said plate, members and blade in mutual correlation.

3. A convertible safety razor comprisin a cheek plate and a guard member provide with opposing recesses, blade-clamping members fitting one into the other and retained between and entering the recesses of said cheek plate and guard member, a razor blade interposed between and posltioned by said clamping members one of the latter being provided with handleattaching means, and a removable handle adjustably combining said cheek adapted to be removed and combined with said blade-clamping member handle-attaching means, said check plate and guard member being removable to convert said razor into a stroppin device.

4. A converti is safety razor comprising a cheek plate and a ard member, bladeand mset respectively in said cheek plate and guard member, a razor blade interposed between and positioned by said clamping members, clamlpgng means for said bladeclampin mem provid with handle-attaching means, an a removable handle adjustably attached to said cheek plate and co-acting therewith to clamp said blade-clampin members, said blade and guard member t erebetween said handle, cheek plate and uard member being removable and said han le being attachable to said blade-clamping member handle-attaching means to convert the razor into a stropging device.

v 5. convertible safety razor comprising a cheek plate, a guard member, blade-clamping members fitt one into the other and respectively into said cheek plate and guard member, a razor blade between and positioned by said clamping members, clamping means for said blade-clamping members, one of the latter having handle-attaching means, and a handle passable through the members and attachable to said cheek plate, said cheek plate guard member and handle being removable and the handle being attachab e to said blade-clamping member handle-attaching means to convert the razor into a stro e5 ping device.

plate, members and blade clam ing members fitting one into the other rs, one of the latter bein 6. A convertible safety razor comprising a check plate, a guard member, blade-clamping members fitting one into the other and respectively into said cheek plate and ard member, a razor blade between said amping members, an adjustable tubular clamping element rigidly combining said clamping members, one of the latter having handle attaching means, and a handle passage through the members and tubular clam ing element, and attachable to said cheek plate, said cheek plate, guard member and handle being removable and the handle being attachable to said blade-clamping member handle-attaching means to convert the razor into a stropping device.

7. convertible safety razor comprising a cheek plate, a guard member, blade-clamping members retained between said cheek plate and guard member, a razor blade retained between said clamping members latter being provided with handle attaching means, clamping means for said bladeclamping members, and a handle combinin said cheek plate and the members, said chee plate, guard member and handle being removable and the handle being attachable to said handle-attaching means of the clamping members to form a stropping device, the clamping members being formed to determine the cuttin edge of the blade.

8. Aconverti le razor comprising removable exterior members forming a socket, blade-clamping members, normally in said socket, a blade retained between said clamping members, one of said clamping members having an end rovided with a recess, another. of said 0 amping members having a lug at, one end fitting into said recess, said ug bein provided with handle-attaching means, adjustable means clamping said clamping members and blade together, and a removable handle selectivel attachable to certain of said exterior mem rs to form a razor and to the handle-attaching means of said lug to convert said razor into a stropping device when certain of said exterior members have been removed.

.9. A convertible tcnsorial device comprising separable blade-holding members notmally in unitary combination and provided with handle-attaching means, a removable razor blade held by said members, exterior members formed to receive the combined blade-holding members and for facial ccn- I the said unit being provided with handle-attachtachable at difierent angles to the members ment means, forming a socket for said unit, andja handleforming element adapted to clamp said members together and to be attached to said handle-attachment means upon the removal of said exterior members.

11. A convertible tonsorial device comprising a blade-holder'formed as a stropping unit provided with handle-attachment means, a. razor blade retained by said unit, members adapted for facial contact exterior to said unit, and a handle combined with said members and unit and adapted to be applied to said handle-attachment means, said exterior members being removable.

12. A convertible tonsorial device compris ing a blade-holder formed as a stroping element provided with handle-attachment means, exterior members socketed to receive said blade-holder, a razor blade retained by said holder, and clampin means including a holding-handle combining said members and blade-holder and being adjustable to vary the relation-of the razor and member edges to affect cutting by said blade, said exterior members being removable and said handle being adapted to be applied to said handle-attachment means.

13. A convertible tonsorial device comprising a razor blade, members on opposite sides thereof formin a holder therefor, said holder being provided with handle-attachment means, separate outer removablesplate-like members respectively disposed on opposite sides of said holder and having edges controllinglyrelated to the razor blade edges, and a holding-handle adjustably clamping said members together and being removable to ermit the removal of said outer members and for its own attachment to the handleattachment means of said holder.

14. A convertible tonsorial device comprising a blade-holder formed of mutually combined nested members and provided with handle-attachment means, a razor blade held between said members, separatelyformed external members in which said holder is nested, one of said members being a razor blade edge guard, and a holding-handle combining said members, said handle being removable to permit the removal of said external members and for its own attachment to the handle-attachment means of said strapping device and a handle selectively at- ,removable exterior members selected for use.

In testimony whereof, wehave aflixed our signatures.

THEODORE D. WALKER. CHARLES L. BELCHER. 

